Apparatus and method for detecting a change in a specific gravity of a fluid

An apparatus for detecting a change in a specific gravity of a fluid surrounding the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a plurality of openings for allowing the fluid to enter the housing, said housing including a top;
• a first floatation device having a first specific gravity, said first floatation device being located within said housing wherein said first floatation device can move freely within the housing in response to a change in the specific gravity of the fluid;
• a second floatation device having a second specific gravity, said second floatation device being located within said housing in proximity with said first floatation device wherein said second floatation device can move freely within the housing in response to a change in the specific gravity of the fluid;
• a sensing element fixedly attached to said top wherein said element is adapted to recognize the proximity of the said first floatation device and said second floatation device;
• and a signaling device coupled to the sensing element wherein said signaling device is activated by the state of the sensing element.

An apparatus for use in a water treatment system for detecting a change in a specific gravity of a brine solution surrounding the apparatus wherein the brine moves upwardly and downwardly with respect to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing having a plurality of openings for allowing the fluid to enter the housing, said housing including a top;
• a first floatation device having a first specific gravity, said first floatation device being located within said housing wherein said first floatation device includes a magnet and wherein said first floatation device can move freely within the housing in response to a change in the specific gravity of the fluid;
• a second floatation device having a second specific gravity, said second floatation device being located within said housing in proximity with said first floatation device wherein said second floatation device includes a magnet aligned to have the same polarity as the magnet of said first floatation device and wherein said second floatation device can move freely within the housing in response to a change in the specific gravity of the fluid;
• a magnetic reed switch fixedly attached to said top wherein said switch has an open state and a closed state wherein when one of said magnets is in proximity to the switch, the switch is in a closed state and wherein when both of said magnets are in proximity to said switch, the switch is in an open state;
• and
• a signaling device coupled to the switch wherein said signaling device is activated when the switch is in the closed state.

A method for detecting a change in a specific gravity of a brine fluid, said method comprising the steps of:

• providing a supply tank including a brine fluid that is used in the regeneration of a treatment tank in a fluid treatment system wherein the brine fluid moves upwardly and downwardly within the tank during a regeneration cycle;
• providing an apparatus fixedly disposed in said supply tank said apparatus in a surrounding relationship with said brine fluid and is adapted to detect a change in the specific gravity of the brine fluid, said apparatus including a housing and first and second flotation devices having first and second specific gravities, said flotation devices located within said housing;
• and
• activating a signaling device when said first and second flotation devices are in predetermined positions within said housing.